Moisture impermeable fire-barriers

ABSTRACT

A preferred example of a pre-assembled, impermeable fire-barrier system for use in expansion-joint spaces between spaced building units includes a fire-barrier having a first multi-layer of outermost protective cloth layer overlain by an insulation blanket overlain by stainless steel foil, a second multi-layer, overlaying and fixedly attached to the first multi-layer, containing an insulation blanket overlain by impermeable silicon cloth, overlain by a limited layer of intumescent material, and a first attachment apparatus for attaching a first long edge of the fire-barrier to a building unit and a second attachment apparatus for attaching the opposing second long edge to an opposing spaced building unit, which attachment apparatus may be fixedly attached to the barrier, and where the barrier system is fitted throughout with a drain aperture and an drainage hose emanating from the aperture, the hose protected from the heat of a fire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to Provisional Application No.60/953,703, filed Aug. 3, 2007.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fire-barriers and moreparticularly to moisture impermeable fire-barriers that are installedinto expansion spaces in between and from above and beneath the floorsections that are creating the expansion space.

The background information discussed below is presented to betterillustrate the novelty and usefulness of the present invention. Thisbackground information is not admitted prior art. The particularversions of the invention as described below are provided, in part, asillustrative and exemplary, thus, the described versions should not betaken as limiting.

Modern building codes require stresses experienced by buildings fromextreme and/or repetitive changes in temperature, the force of highwinds impinging on the building, multi-directional forces due to seismicevents, settling of subsoil, building remodels, and excavation on ornear the site, for example, must be taken into account in the buildingdesign. To accommodate these stresses, buildings must be constructedwith a code-mandated space between adjacent wall, floor, and/or ceilingstructures. These spaces, referred to as “expansion-joint spaces,” allowdifferential building motions to take place without risking damage tothe whole structure.

While expansion-joint spaces improve the life-time integrity of thestructure, they also present a major risk to the structure in the eventof a fire because it is likely that the mandated spaces will act aschimney flues providing pathways for gases, flame, and smoke to spreadrapidly throughout a structure. To counter the chimney flue effect,building codes for commercial structures require fire-barriers to beinstalled in the expansion-joints to prevent or to reduce the rate offlames and smoke passing through the joints into adjoining areas.Fire-barriers sometimes referred to as “fire-stops,” protect both thebuilding and the inhabitants of the building to extend the timeavailable for inhabitants to leave the building and for fire fighters toget to the fire.

During their lifetime, fire-barriers undergo stresses from a variety ofsources. Every time a structure is subjected to movement, whether fromearthquake activity, ground settling, wind, or temperature contractionor expansion the fire-barriers installed in the expansion-joint spacesare stressed. During a fire, building joints and their associatedfire-barriers are likely to be subjected to even greater stress thanusual, making it essential that the fire-barriers retain their integrityto prevent the migration of gases, flame, and smoke. Accordingly,fire-barriers are legally mandated to be tested, rated, and certified.There are two currently mandated tests. One measures the ability of afire-barrier to maintain its structural integrity under compressionaland tensional motion. This test is referred to as the “cycle” test andits parameters are specified by ASTM 1399. The other test is referred toas the “fire” or “burn” test and its parameters are specified by UL2079. The two tests are conducted in sequence. A fire-barrier is firstcycled between forces of compression and tension 500 times and then, ifthe barrier passes that test, it is placed into a furnace where it istested for its ability to resist and prevents flame, heat, and gasesfrom passing through the barrier.

Another stress that fire-barriers experience is exposure to moisture.Keeping fire-barriers dry is important, however, it is difficult, if notimpossible, to prevent moisture from reaching some barriers. Forexample, a daily stress that fire-barriers may be subjected to,especially fire-barriers that are installed between adjacent floorunits, is stress from exposure to moisture, especially from water andcleaning chemicals used for floor washing. Repeated exposure to moisturecould result in deterioration of the barrier. Moreover, the weight ofthe water provides for a stress. Often, one or more of the multiplelayers of materials in a typical fire-barrier is a metal layer adding tothe weight of each barrier. Because of their weight, fire-barriers areoften secured to building units using heavy duty screws, bolts, tacks,and the like. The number of these used is calculated by the strength ofthe attachment means, the strength of the barrier material, and theweight of the barrier. Any moisture or water taken on by a barriergreatly increases its weight, thus, compromises the integrity of theattachments and of the barrier. Failed barriers, regardless of thereason for the failure, pose life-threatening consequences.Fire-barriers are typically used in hospitals, schools, sportsfacilities, hotels, air ports, and high-rise buildings. In many of theseuses, copious amounts of water are used for cleaning purposes,especially for floor cleaning, on a daily or even more frequent basis.In some instances, parts of these facilities are open to the outdoors,where rain and melted snow can collect on the floors. Public facilitiessuch as open stadiums are regularly subjected to the effects of rain andsnow. Fire-barrier failure in any of these facilities is likely toresult in unnecessary hazard to life and to facility.

The importance of correctly installed, tested, and maintainedfire-barriers is increasingly recognized by building officials, owners,insurance companies, contractors, and the public. As explained above,fire-barriers are designed to fit into the spaces mandated betweenbuilding units. Today, such building units are frequently constructedfrom 4½ inches thick pre-cast concrete slabs, or the like. Thus, forexample, two adjacent floor sections of pre-cast concrete provide a 4½fire-barrier installation depth. Installing a fire-barrier in such aconfined space would be difficult under any circumstances as thethickness of the barrier alone is often greater than 4½ inches. Becauseof the observed injurious effects of moisture on fire-barriers, fireregulations now require a moisture impermeable cover to be placed overthe barrier, to protect it from damage due to water or other fluids orchemicals.

Moisture impermeable fire-barrier covers (referred to in the industry as“boots”) are usually about 4 inches thick. The moisture impermeablecovers fill, or nearly fill, the space between the pre-cast floor units,leaving little or no room for the fire-barrier or for installation ofthe fire-barrier. Moreover, when used to protect a fire-barrierinstalled between adjacent floor units, it is imperative that the bootdoes not protrude above the floor surface, as it would create a trippinghazard and, additionally, would expose itself to damage. Furthermore,top or outer surface mount installation cannot be used becauseattachment hardware cannot protrude above the floor surface. The bootand the minimal thickness of the pre-cast floor sections act toeliminate both top and side-mounting of fire-barrier into floor jointspaces.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides for a gas and water impermeablefire-barrier system. The fire-barriers contemplated by the inventioninclude gas and water impermeable fire-barriers for installation intowall to wall, wall to ceiling, wall to floor, floor to floor, andceiling to ceiling expansion-joint spaces. The barriers may be fittedwith a drain and a drainage hose providing for drainage of any waterthat does collects within the barrier, especially for when the barriersare to be used in floor to floor or floor to ceiling expansion-jointspaces, or any other joint spaces that could be a likely repository forwater and or other liquids. The rubber boots covering the barriers aremeant to protect the barriers from moisture, however if the boots aredamaged are moved by, for example, machines that are used to maintain orrepair a floor, it is likely that moisture will reach the barriers.Thus, the barriers are provided with drains and drainage hoses.

The fire-barrier systems of the present invention include various stylesof gas and moisture impermeable fire-barriers and their mounting means.The various styles of fire-barrier systems are designed for top, side,or bottom mounting of the barrier, depending on the type of joint spacein which they are to be installed, For example, if a gas and waterimpermeable fire-barriers are required for installation in floor tofloor expansion-joint spaces of an open-air baseball stadium, where thefloors are heavily trod and are exposed to rain and melting snow andice, the barriers would be bottom mount to provide ample room for theinstallation of a rubber boot, to avoid any tripping hazards, and sothat the mounting hardware is not exposed to the elements. Such abarrier would also be fitted with drainage hoses to prevent the build-upof any fluid. The prefabricated fire-barriers of the present inventionare produced in various lengths as desired. However, because of theweight of the barriers and the difficulty in handling very longbarriers, the length of the barriers is usually limited, to for example,10 feet. Therefore, when the expansion is longer than 10 feet, twobarriers must be installed end to end. The barriers of the presentinvention are pre-assembled and delivered to the site ready forone-step, easy, rapid installation by one or at most two installers. Thebarriers are pre-assembled to have male and female butt-end connectionsthat prevent any possible leaking from end to end seams. For male/femaleconnecting seams, as well as for seams made up of butt-end to butt-endconnections, a butt-cover is provided to ensure that there is no leakageof any collected fluids except through the drainage system. Theseam-butt cover also ensures that there in no penetration of smoke orfire into the barrier from below the barrier.

Having silicone cloth as the final upper layer, is one example of how tomake the barrier moisture impermeable from the top layer down. It shouldbe understood that a fire-barrier must be gas and flame impermeable inorder to be a functional fire-barrier. The materials used to constructeach barrier are fire resistant to degrees that are defined by the teststhat the barriers are required to pass before they can be used. Thesematerials are of exceptional strength and are firmly and sturdilyattached to the attachment frame which is used in conjunction with thefire-barrier materials to attach the barrier to building units.

The barriers that are supplied with a drainage system have a drainageopening through the thickness of the barrier. The drain is keptseparated from the fire-barrier material by an impermeable caulking thatensures that any moisture that does collect on the surface of themoisture impermeable layer does not come into contact with the othermaterial of the barrier or leak through the fire-barrier. Moisture thatdoes collect on the surface of the moisture impermeable layer gravitydrains through a drainage tube. The drainage tube is constructed so theif there is a fire the drainage opening is automatically plugged. Theheat of the fire destroys the tube but at the same time melts the tubematerial so that it functionally plugs the drain opening.

Fire-barriers that present all of the above benefits are made possibleby providing for:

a fire-barrier system, comprising:

an impermeable fire-barrier system for use in the expansion-joint spacesthat are formed by spaced building units, such spaced building unitsincluding wall to wall, wall to floor, wall to ceiling, ceiling toceiling, and floor to floor building units, where the system comprises:

-   -   a fluid and gas impermeable fire-barrier made of at least one        layer of fire-resistant material and by at least one adjacent        layer of fluid impermeable material, the fire-barrier having a        length comprising a first long side edge, a spaced, an opposing        second long side edge, and two short end edges, and    -   an attachment apparatus for attaching the fire-barrier to the        spaced building units defining the expansion-joint space.

The attachment apparatus for attaching the fire-barrier to the buildingunits may further comprises a screw, bolt, or nail, or a fire resistantadhesive.

The attachment apparatus for attaching the fire-barrier to buildingunits may further comprise a first attachment apparatus for attachingthe first long edge of the fire-barrier to one building unit and asecond attachment apparatus for attaching the opposing second long edgeof the fire-barrier to a second opposing building unit, where the firstand second building units define an expansion-joint space.

Furthermore the fluid and gas impermeable barrier may further comprisebeing fitted with a drain aperture providing for drainage of any liquidsthat find there way into the fire-barrier. Yet furthermore, the fluidand gas impermeable barrier is fitted with a drain aperture and adrainage hose emanating from the drain aperture.

The attachment apparatus for attaching the fire-barrier to the buildingunits may further comprises a two part fire-resistant retainer system,one of the parts for attachment to the first long edge and another ofthe parts for attachment to the spaced, opposing second long edge of thefire-barrier providing for a fire-barrier retainer system. wherein thefire-barrier retainer system is fixedly attachable to the fire-barrier.

The fire-barrier system is routinely preassembled for immediate on-siteinstallation, but exceptions may be made for at least partial on-sitemanufacture of the fire-barrier system when unique constructionrequirements are present.

The fire-barrier retainer system may be further defined by each of theattachment parts having attachment plates arranged for bottom-mountingattachment of the fire-barrier/retainer system to the building units.

The fire-barrier retainer system may be further defined by each of theparts having attachment plates arranged for top-mounting attachment ofthe fire-barrier retainer system to the building units.

The fire-barrier retainer system may be further defined by each of theparts having attachment plates arranged for side-mounting attachment ofthe fire-barrier/retainer system to the building units.

The retainer system may further comprise a stainless steel fire-barrierretainer.

The fluid impermeable fire-barrier layer may further comprise a layer offluid-impermeable silicone material.

The fire-barrier system may further be made to have butt short ends forbutt end joining of abutting fire-barrier sections.

If desired, there may also be a fire-resistant splice connector cover toattachedly cover the splice seam of abutting fire-barrier sections

Alternatively, the fire-barrier system further may be constructed tohave male and female connecting short end edges for male/female joiningof two fire-barriers.

The drainage system further includes a drainage hose emanating from thedrain aperture, which may be a plastic tubing, to pass through thefire-barrier to a fluid collection device.

The plastic tubing emanating from the drain aperture may be positionedfor its protection into and therethrough a flexible protective metalfire-resistant tubing. The impermeability of the fluid and gasimpermeable barrier is maintained by caulking the join between theaperture and the plastic tubing with impermeable caulk material andwherein the join between an outer surface of the barrier and the tubingis sealed using a fire-resistant caulk material.

A preferred example of a fire-barrier system, includes an impermeablefire-barrier system for use in expansion-joint spaces defined by spacedbuilding units, comprising:

-   -   a fire-barrier, comprising        -   a composite outer layer comprising an outermost protective            cloth layer overlain by a layer of insulation blanket            overlain by a sheet of stainless steel foil, and        -   an attached composite inner layer comprising a layer of            insulation blanket overlain by a layer of impermeable            silicon cloth, overlain by a layer of intumescent material,            -   where the fire-barrier has a length comprising a first                long edge, a spaced, opposing second long edge, and two                short end edges, and    -   an at least two-part attachment apparatus for attaching the        fire-barrier to the spaced building units defining an        expansion-joint space, where a first attachment apparatus        provides for attaching the first long edge of the fire-barrier        to a building unit and a second attachment apparatus provides        for attaching the opposing second long edge of the fire-barrier        to an opposing building unit, where the first and second        building units define an expansion-joint space, and where    -   the fluid and gas impermeable barrier is fitted with a drain        aperture and a drainage hose protected from the heat of a fire        emanating from said drain aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that these and other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention may be more fully comprehended, the invention will nowbe described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like partsthroughout the several figures, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a straight-line top-mount moistureimpermeable fire-barrier of the present invention installed in anexpansion-joint.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective side-view of a moisture impermeablefire-barrier, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 a is a diagrammatic perspective view of partial sections of twotop-mount straight-line fire-barrier of the present invention buttjoining each other and a butt cover to protect the seam from moistureleaking through and to assure that no fire, heat, or smoke can enter thebarrier from fire activity below the barrier.

FIG. 3 b is a diagrammatic perspective view of partial sections of twotop-mount straight-line fire-barrier of the present invention joiningeach other using a male/female connection.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a bottom-mount moisture impermeablefire-barrier of the present invention installed in an expansion-joint.

FIG. 5 a is a diagrammatic perspective view of a straight-line barrierbeing mounting between two spaced floor units using the installationtool specific for this barrier and this installation.

FIG. 5 b is an elevation view of the barrier and installation tool asillustrated in FIG. 5 a.

DEFINITIONS

Building units, as used herein, refers to structures such as walls,floors, ceilings, and the like, and may be referred to as structuralunits.

High-temperature thread, as used herein, refers to any thread that isfire-resistant or any thread that will not support combustion, such as aceramic thread.

Impermeable membrane, as used herein, refers to a material that does notallow the passage of a fluid, such as water, other liquids, and/orgases. The impermeable material disclosed herein includes a flexible,fluid-impermeable, sealing layer that is used for waterproofing byapplying one or more layers of the membrane material onto a surfaceand/or object to be protected. Such impermeable blanket layers are madeof a variety of materials, such as, but not limited to, silicone,fiberglass fabric coated with silicone rubber, coal tar, bitumen andsynthetic polymers that are formed as sheet-like substances of desiredsealing properties. Material and substance properties of impermeablemembranes used herein meet the requirements of any particular structure,building, authority, climate, chemical and physical environment,required durability, cost effectiveness and the like.

Intumescent as used herein, refers to those materials having propertiesthat cause them to expand (or intumesce) to several times their originalsize when activated by high temperatures to prevent the spread of flamesand smoke to other parts of a building, for example passive fire-sealscontain intumescent compounds. The intumescent occurs in many forms andmay be, for example an intumescent layer, strip, or paste, such as acaulking material.

Insulation blanket, as used herein, refers to any number of insulationmaterials, including fiber blankets made from alumina, zirconia, andsilica spun ceramic fibers, fiberglass, and the like.

Interdigitate as used herein, refers to the verb interlock, to beinterwoven or to commingle.

Interdigitation as used herein, refers to the act of interlocking or thecondition being interlocked or interpenetrated. As example ofinterdigitated coupling is a couple formed using a male/femaleconnection system.

Metallic backing layer, as used herein, refers to fire-resistant metalor metallicized foil, such as stainless steel, or the like.

Multi-directional and/or multi-dimensional architectural expansion joinor joint, as used herein refers to any joint that is formed by theconvergence of more than two structural units, such as the convergenceof three wall units or two walls and a floor unit. These joints createspaces between building units that act like chimney flues carryinggases, hot air, flame, and smoke throughout a structure.

Multi-directional and/or multi-dimensional fire-resistant barrier, asused herein, refers to any fire-barrier that is shaped to functionallyfit into a multi-directional and/or multi-dimensional architecturalexpansion-joint.

Protective cloth, as used herein, refers to a flexible, strong,protective, fire-resistant material that is designed to mechanicallysupport the insulation material and to protect the insulation materialfrom mechanical damage, as the insulation is mechanically weak and canbe easily damaged by tearing or ripping either accidentally orintentionally during or after installation thus largely compromising theintegrity of the fire-resistant barrier. The fire-resistant layers, suchas a layer of insulation material together with a layer of intumescentmaterial, can freely move with respect to the one or more protectivelayers or they may be attached together via threads or other attachingmeans. Protective cloths may be manufactured from continuous filamentamorphous silica yarns, polymeric material, fiber reinforced polymericmaterial, high-temperature resistant woven textiles, or a metalized,fiberglass cloth, among others. Metalized cloth may include fibers ofstainless steel, aluminum, or copper, for example. Protective materialsmay also include metal foils or metal screens. Protective cloths alsoinclude cloths that are woven to provide for shear, including lateral,motion.

Retainer, as used herein, refers to a means used to attach fire-barriersto building units. For example one top-mount system uses “L” bracketsthat are first attached to the barrier and then attached to a buildingunit. Similar, but more complex, brackets are used for mountingbottom-mount systems.

Seaming, as used herein, refers to connecting one part to another part,for example where a cloth is folded and the two parts of the cloth thathave been brought together by the folding are subsequently “seamed”together along a predetermined line. The seaming may utilize stitching,using an adhesive, stapling, pinning, or any other means that willconnect the two parts to each other.

Structural unit, as used herein, refers to such building unit constructsas a wall, floor, ceiling, or the like and may be referred to asbuilding units. These units are often pre-constructed concrete, or of alike material, slabs or panels and can be about 4 inches thick whichposes a challenge for the installation of a fire-barrier and the,recently, mandated rubber protective boot.

Tri-dimensional, as used herein, refers to either an expansion-jointthat has three member parts, such as a T-shaped expansion-joint wherethe T-joint is made up of three co-joint-arms or to a fire-barrier thatis functionally shaped to accommodate a T-shaped joint.

TESTS:

Fire testing per UL 20 79Cycle test ASTME 1399 (expansion, compression test)

A LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMBERS AND RELATED PARTS OF THE INVENTION

-   10 Fluid and moisture impermeable fire-barrier.-   11 Attachment means.-   12 Impermeable membrane.-   14 Insulation blanket.-   15 Intumescent strip material.-   16 Attachment means.-   17 Metal foil.-   18 Protective cloth.-   19 Weld pins.-   20 Drain mechanism.-   21 Inner aperture.-   22 Impermeable caulk material.-   23 Outer aperture.-   24 Plastic tubing.-   26 Impermeable fire-resistant caulk material.-   28 Flexible metal fire-resistant tubing.-   29 Attachment means, such as washers and nuts.-   30 Fluid.-   32 One fire-barrier section impermeable to fluid and moisture.-   34 Another fire-barrier section impermeable to fluid and moisture.-   35 Attachment means, such as nuts and washer.-   42 Attachment means, such as weld pins.-   44 Retainer.-   46 Retainer arms.-   50 Intumescent caulking.-   60 A join or butt between two fluid and moisture impermeable    fire-barriers.-   70 A butt or splice cover connector.-   80 Fluid catchment means.-   90 A building unit.-   94 Nailer.-   100 Attachment tool.-   200 Male connection end.-   203 Female connection end.-   300 Installation tool specific for this system.-   302 Base plate.-   304 Track.-   306 Vertical rail.-   308 Horizontal sliding plate.-   310 Rollar assembly.-   312 Holding bracket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To provide an understanding of the basic structure of the moisture andgas impermeable barriers contemplated herein, we refer now to thedrawings to illustrate exemplary versions of the invention. It should benoted that the disclosed invention is disposed to versions in varioussizes, such as lengths, widths, depths to accommodate the variety ofexpansion-joint spaces that require fire-barriers, in addition tovariation in shapes, contents, number and composition of layers,materials, and attachment means. Therefore, the versions describedherein are provided with the understanding that the present disclosureis intended as illustrative and is not intended to limit the inventionto the versions described.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of a straight-linetop-mount moisture-impermeable fire-barrier of the present inventioninstalled in an expansion-joint of a desired width. It is to beunderstood that the invention is available is multi-directionalfire-barrier systems, as well as in straight-line versions. In thisexample, gas, fluid, and moisture impermeable fire-barrier 10 includesan outer multi-layer and an inner multi-layer. The outer multi-layer ofthe fire-barrier, as illustrated, comprises outermost protective cloth18, such as fire-resistant fiberglass material, overlain by a layer ofinsulation blanket 14, which is overlain by a sheet of stainless steelfoil 17. The inner multi-layer of the moisture-impermeable fire-barrier,as illustrated, comprises another layer of insulation blanket 14overlain by a layer of impermeable material 12, an example of which issilicon cloth, where the top surface edges of the inner multi-layer areoverlaid by intumescent material 15.

The moisture impermeability of the silicon cloth layer was tested byfilling an installed fire-barrier having the silicon cloth layer withwater. In this test water remained on the surface of the silicon layerfor 120 days when the water finally evaporated.

The layers making up the barrier are attached to each other in variousways. In some embodiments the layers may be sewn together. In otherembodiments the layers are attached to each other using attachmentmeans, for example, as nuts and washers 11. The outer multi-layer ispositioned on the outer side of the barrier, that is, on the side of thebarrier that faces into the extension joint space created by buildingfloor units 90. The inner multi-layer is positioned on the inside of thebarrier, that is, on the inner side of the “U” shape formed by thebarrier when attached to building floor units 90.

There are many attachment means that may be used to attach afire-barrier to a building unit and all are contemplated for use withthe present invention; one example of an attachment means used to attacha fire-barrier directly to a building unit are tack-weld pins 16. Otherattachment means include screw, bolts, nails or a fire-resistantadhesive. One favored embodiment (FIG. 4) uses a retainer attachmentapparatus to attach a fire-barrier to the building structures thatdefine the expansion-joint space. The retainer attachment is generallyfixedly attached to the fire-barrier at the time of manufacture, butneed not be so if there are unique on-site requirements. It is to beunderstood that there may be some instances when unusually sized andshaped expansion-joint spaces may require on-site partial orfull-construction of the barrier, but for all routinely used sizes andspaces, the fire-barriers are fully pre-assembled at the factory and areready for on-site installation.

Water collecting in a fire-barrier may be anticipated for example, insystems installed in floor to floor joint spaces, where the floors areregularly washed with copious amount of water and cleaning chemicals. Ifmoisture and/or water do collect in the lowest surface area of theU-shaped installed moisture impermeable fire-barrier, drain 20 providesdrainage of any liquid. Any liquid that collects on the inner surface ofthe inner multi-layer, i.e., on the exposed surface of the impermeablelayer, will gravity drain through the aperture that is functionallypositioned through the surface of the impermeable layer at the lowestdepression of the u-shaped fire-barrier. The liquid will drain throughthe aperture into and through plastic tubing 24, which emanates from theaperture, through the barrier, to hang out the lower outer surface ofthe barrier. Because this tubing is plastic that would quickly beaffected by heat and other environmental conditions, it is protected bybeing positioned within an outer tubing flexible metal fire-resistanttubing 28. After passing through the length of the metal tubing, alength of the plastic tubing emanates out of metal fire-resistant tubing28. Liquid traveling through the tubings will eventually be collected byfluid catchment means 80. Therefore, drain system 20 comprises plastictubing 24 emanating from inner aperture 21 through the entire thicknessof moisture impermeable fire-barrier 10 to extend out of outer aperture23 to extend outside the outermost layer of the outer multi-layerfire-barrier. Impermeability is maintained by caulking the join betweenthe inner surface of the barrier and the tubing with impermeable caulkmaterial 22. Impermeable fire-resistant caulk material 26 is used toseal the join between the outer surface of the barrier and the tubing.Plastic tubing 24 extends from the outside of the barrier to be securelycovered by flexible, fire-resistant, metal tubing 28. Intumescentcaulking 50 is inserted into the space between the outer surface ofplastic tubing 24 and the inner surface of metal tubing 28. In the eventof a fire, intumescent caulking 50 will expand. Metal tubing 28 willforce the expansion of the intumescent caulking toward the plastictubing which will cause the tubing to collapse upon itself and, thus,create a seal preventing fire, smoke, and gases from getting through thebarrier.

FIG. 2, a diagrammatic perspective side-view of a moisture impermeablefire-barrier, illustrates the positioning of drain system 20 in thefire-barrier equidistant from both open ends of the section ofimpermeable fire-barrier. The length of each impermeable fire-barriersection is, to some extent, dependent on the weight of the barrier, aswell as the length of the joint space that requires a barrier. If thebarrier is constructed with extra layers of material, for example toprovide for a barrier having a higher fire-rating (in terms of hours thebarrier can withstand the destructive forces of a full scale fire), thenthe barrier will weigh more and will have to be shorter than a barrierrated for fewer hours and made of a reduced thickness.

FIG. 3, a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrates the join of twotop-mount straight-line fire-barrier partial sections. Section 32 isillustrated as butting up against section 34 at join line 60. Butt cover70 is secured over join line 60 with all exposed joins caulked. FIG. 3b, a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrates partial sections of twotop-mount straight-line fire-barrier of the present invention beingjoined to each other using male 200 and female 203 connectionstructures.

FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view, illustrates a bottom-mount moistureimpermeable, draining, fire-barrier of the present invention installedin an expansion-joint. The bottom-mount fire-barrier system provides forinstalling the fire-barrier/retainer unit either from above the floorthrough the expansion-joint space, from beneath the floor, or from both.In this system, the fire-barrier is securely attached to retainer 44 byattachment means 19 whose size is exaggerated for ease of viewing. Thisattachment is only one way to attach a barrier to its supportingretainer. The barrier may be attached to the retainer by attachmentmeans that extend through the outermost barrier layer, through thedownwardly extending leg of the retainer, and through the innermostbarrier layer, for example. The complete barrier/retainer system isfixedly mounted to the bottom of floor units 90 by any desired fixationattachment means, such as by use of a nail gun to insert nails 94. Anail gun or nailer is a type of tool used to drive fasteners into amaterial that is usually driven by electromagnetism, compressed air, or,for powder-actuated tools, a small explosive charge. One example of sucha nail gun is a Hilti gun that inserts fasteners through thebarrier/retainer into the pre-cast concrete floor in the presentexample. Note that by being mounted below the floor, there is adequatespace in the expansion joint for a required rubber boot to be installed.All of the impermeable fire-barrier of the present invention arecontemplated to be manufactured with retainer 44 as part of itsstructure and, thus, is provided from the manufacturing facility as aready to install unit. However, if there should exist a need for animpermeable fire barrier without a retainer, that embodiment is alsocontemplated. As discussed, the elongate fire barrier illustrated has alength with two opposing long sides, which provide the attachment areasfor attaching the fire barrier/retainer to building units, and a centerportion or mid-section between. Note that there is a separate retainerstructure for each long side of the fire-barrier. Each retainerillustrated comprises four retainer arms or plates, thus has a four armcross-sectional profile. When installed, the downwardly extending partof the vertical arm of the retainer of the fire-barrier/retainer systemis positioned to extend into the space between the innermost andoutermost fire-barrier layers, while the vertical upwardly extendingportion of the retainer arm is positioned against the sides of thebuilding units that define the expansion joint space to provide a secureand close connection of the fire-barrier/retainer system to the buildingunits by acting in concert with the other arms to keep the fire barrieris a correct position tight against the building unit surfaces. One partof the horizontal retainer arm is situated between the extendingoutermost fire-barrier layer and the bottom surface of the building unitproviding addition support for the fire barrier and supports thefunction of the other arms, while the other part of the horizontalretainer arm extends into the joint space to cover the exposed end ofthe inner-most fire-barrier layer, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and toprovide a lifting support for the installation tool, as explained below.It is to be understood that there are many variations on the shape andsize of a retainer. The arms could be of a variety of widths andlengths, and some arms could be eliminated. Note that in theillustration, one retainer arm of a first retainer is affixed to thefirst long side of the fire barrier and one retainer arm of a secondretainer is affixed to the opposing second long side of the fire barrierto form the fire barrier/retainer system for bottom mounting the systeminto an expansion joint space. Attaching the fairly rigid retainer tothe flexible fire barrier provides for the barrier to be held tightlyagainst the bottom surface of the floor unit providing for a tight andsecure attachment (as illustrated).

FIG. 5 a, a diagrammatic perspective view, illustrates a straight-linebarrier being mounted between two spaced floor units using theinstallation tool 300 specific for this barrier and this installation.The frame of installation tool 300, as illustrated in the figure,consists of a pair of horizontally oriented spaced tracks 304, slidablyattached at a ninety degree angle to each of tracks 304 is one of twohorizontal sliding plates 308, protruding through and extending aboveand below each sliding plate 308 forming a ninety degree angle are twospaced vertical rails 306, a base plate 302 connects each end pair ofeach of the two spaced tracks 304. Roller assembly 310 provides forhorizontal sliding plate 308 to be slidably adjusted, thus, providingfor the installation tool to be width adjustable. Holding bracket 312(as seen in FIG. 5 b) attached to the lower end of each of spacedvertical rails 306. To prepare the impermeable fire-barrier retainersystem for installation, one of the holding brackets 312 of theinstallation tool are attached to one long side of a fire-barrier andthe other bracket is attached to the opposing long side of thefire-barrier. The entire system, installation tool and impermeablefire-barrier retainer system, can now be lifted holding the handles thatare provided on the installation tool. Depending on the weight of thebarrier, the installation tool and impermeable fire-barrier retainersystem can be lifted and put into the expansion-joint by one or twoinstallers. The width of the installation is adjusted so that baseplates 302 rest on the surface of the to building unit 90 to support thebarrier/retainer, while the retainer of the barrier retainer system isbeing fixedly attached to the side and or bottom of the building units90. The use of the tool provides for rapid and easy installation by aminimum number of installers.

FIG. 5 b, an elevation view illustrates how the installation toolsupports the fire-barrier/retainer for secure attaching of the barrierto spaced building units. The installation, as shown, is used for bottommounting of the barrier/retainer to spaced floor to floor building unitsand to spaced floor to wall building units.

1. A fire-barrier system, comprising: an impermeable fire-barrier systemfor use in an expansion-joint space formed by spaced building units,comprising: a fluid and gas impermeable fire-barrier made of at leastone layer of fire-resistant material and at least one adjacent layer offluid impermeable material, said fire-barrier having a length comprisinga first long side edge, a spaced and an opposing second long side edge,and an attachment apparatus for attaching said fire-barrier to thespaced building units defining the expansion-joint space.
 2. Thefire-barrier system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said attachmentapparatus for attaching said fire-barrier to the building units furthercomprises a screw, bolt, nail, or fire resistant adhesive.
 3. Thefire-barrier system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said attachmentapparatus for attaching said fire-barrier to building units furthercomprises a first attachment apparatus for attaching said first longedge of said fire-barrier to one building unit and a second attachmentapparatus for attaching said opposing second long edge of saidfire-barrier to a second opposing building unit, where the first andsecond building units define an expansion-joint space.
 4. Thefire-barrier system, as recited in claim 1, further comprising whereinsaid fluid and gas impermeable barrier is fitted with a drain aperture.5. The fire-barrier system, as recited in claim 1, further comprisingwherein said fluid and gas impermeable barrier is fitted with a drainaperture and a drainage hose emanating from said drain aperture.
 6. Thefire-barrier system, as recited in claim 1, wherein said attachmentapparatus for attaching said fire-barrier to the building units furthercomprises a multi-part fire-resistant retainer system including a firstpart for attachment to said first long edge and a second part forattachment to said spaced, opposing second long edge of saidfire-barrier providing a fire-barrier retainer system.
 7. Thefire-barrier system, as recited in claim 7, wherein said fire-barrierretainer system is fixedly attached to said fire-barrier.
 8. Thefire-barrier system, as recited in claim 7, further comprising aninstallation tool for installing said fire-barrier comprising: awidth-adjustable frame, consisting of at least two horizontallyoriented, parallel, spaced tracks that are connected to each other by atleast two slidably attached, horizontally oriented, parallel, spacedsliding plates each of which is positioned at a ninety degree angle toone of the tracks, providing for the installation tool to be widthadjustable, through each sliding plate there are at least twohorizontally oriented, parallel base plates, each affixed to andconnecting the ends of a set of opposing spaced tracks, at least twospaced vertical rails fixedly attached and protruding therethrough toextend above and below each sliding plate forming a ninety degree anglewith said sliding plate, and a holding bracket fixedly attached to eachof said extending lower ends of said vertical rails providing forsecurely supporting flanged retainer plates of said fire-barrierretainer to said spaced building-units for attachment.
 9. Thefire-barrier system, as recited in claim 7, wherein said multi-partfire-barrier retainer system is further defined by each of said partshaving at least one attachment plate arranged for bottom-mountingattachment of said fire-barrier/retainer system to the building units.10. The fire-barrier system, as recited in claim 7, wherein saidmulti-part fire-barrier retainer system is further defined by each ofsaid parts having at least one attachment plate arranged fortop-mounting attachment of said fire-barrier retainer system to thebuilding units.
 11. The fire-barrier system, as recited in claim 7,wherein said multi-part fire-barrier retainer system is further definedby each of said parts having at least one attachment plate arranged forside-mounting attachment of said fire-barrier/retainer system to thebuilding units.
 12. The fire-barrier system, as recited in claim 1,wherein said fluid impermeable fire-barrier layer comprises a layer offluid-impermeable silicone material.
 13. The fire-barrier system, asrecited in claim 1, wherein said fire-barrier further comprises twoshort ends being butt short ends for butt end joining of abuttingfire-barrier sections.
 14. The fire-barrier system, as recited in claim13, wherein said fire-barrier system further comprises a fire-resistantsplice connector cover to cover the splice seam of abutting fire-barriersections.
 15. The fire-barrier system, as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid fire-barrier further comprises two short ends where one end isformed into a male connector and the other end is formed into a femaleconnector for male/female joining of adjacent fire-barriers.
 16. Thefire-barrier system, as recited in claim 5, wherein said drainage hoseis plastic tubing that is positioned into and through a flexible metalfire-resistant tubing providing protection for said plastic tubing. 17.The fire-barrier system, as recited in claim 16, wherein theimpermeability of said fluid and gas impermeable barrier is maintainedby caulking the join between the aperture and the plastic tubing withimpermeable caulk material.
 18. The fire-barrier system, as recited inclaim 15, wherein the join between an outer surface of the barrier andthe tubing is sealed using a fire-resistant caulk material.
 19. Afire-barrier system, comprising: an impermeable fire-barrier system foruse in expansion-joint spaces formed by spaced building units,comprising: a fluid and gas impermeable fire-barrier made of at leastone layer of fire-resistant material having an outer surface overlain byat least one layer of fluid and gas impermeable material having an uppersurface, said fire-barrier having a length comprising one long edge, aspaced, opposing second long edge, and two short end edges; at leasttwo-part attachment apparatus for attaching said fire-barrier tobuilding units defining the expansion-joint space, where a firstattachment apparatus is attachable to said one long edge providing forattaching said one long edge of said fire-barrier to a building unit andanother attachment apparatus is attachable to said opposing long edgeproviding for attaching said opposing long edge of said fire-barrier toan opposing building unit, and a drain aperture on the upper surface ofsaid fire-barrier and a drainage hose emanating from said drain aperturepenetrating through and extending from the outer surface of said barrierproviding for a drainage system, said drainage system for draining fluidfrom the upper surface of said fire-barrier.
 20. A fire-barrier system,comprising: a gas and moisture impermeable fire-barrier system for usein expansion-joint spaces defined by spaced building units, comprising:a fire-barrier, comprising a composite outer layer comprising anoutermost protective cloth layer overlain by a layer of insulationblanket that is overlain by a sheet of stainless steel foil, and anattached composite inner layer comprising a layer of insulation blanketoverlain by a layer of impermeable silicon cloth that is overlain by alayer of intumescent material, said fire-barrier having a lengthcomprising an upper inner surface, a lower outer surface, a first longedge, a spaced, opposing second long edge, and two short end edges, anda drain aperture on the upper inner surface of said fire-barrier and adrainage hose penetrating through said fire-barrier to extend from thelower outer surface of said barrier providing for draining fluid fromthe upper surface of said fire-barrier, an at least two-partfire-barrier retainer system for attaching said fire-barrier to thespaced building units that define an expansion-joint space, saidfire-barrier retainer system including a first part for attachment tosaid first long edge providing for attachment of said first long edge ofsaid fire-barrier to a building unit and a second part for attachment tosaid spaced, opposing second long edge of said fire-barrier providingfor attachment of said opposing second long edge of said fire-barrier toan opposing building unit, and an installation tool for installing saidfire-barrier comprising: a width-adjustable frame, consisting of atleast two horizontally oriented, parallel, spaced tracks that areconnected to each other by at least two slidably attached, horizontallyoriented, parallel, spaced sliding plates each of which is positioned ata ninety degree angle to one of the tracks, providing for theinstallation tool to be width adjustable, through each sliding platethere are at least two horizontally oriented, parallel base plates, eachaffixed to and connecting the ends of a set of opposing spaced tracks,at least two spaced vertical rails fixedly attached and protrudingtherethrough to extend above and below each sliding plate forming aninety degree angle with said sliding plate, and a holding bracketfixedly attached to each of said extending lower ends of said verticalrails providing for securely supporting flanged retainer plates of saidfire-barrier retainer to said spaced building-units for attachment.